Use of pedicled greater omental flap to repair a thoraco-abdominal defect after extensive tumor resection

Resection of longstanding chest or abdominal wall malignancies can create e xtensive defects. Pedicled or free myocutaneous flaps [3-6, 8, 9, 12, 14-17 ] are of ten the choice for reconstruction. The omental flap, however, is a valid alternative [1, 2, 8, 19, 22]. A case is reported in which the oment al flap was used to cover the defect resulting from the resection of an ext ensive basal cell carcinoma of the lateral thorax and abdominal wall. Fibro sis and calcification of the omentum lead to a stable abdominal wall withou t the use of synthetic mesh [20, 23].